Indictment issued for alleged anti‑graft violation On Dec 27, a special counsel team indicted People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Kim Gi‑hyeon and his wife Lee without detention, accusing them of providing a valuable item to former first lady Kim Keon Hee in connection with official duties under the anti‑graft law [1][2]. The indictment follows a broader probe into gifts tied to the former first lady and was announced alongside a referral to police for possible bribery charges involving former President Yoon Suk‑yeol [1].

Roger Vivier clutch valued at roughly 2.6 million won Investigators identified the gift as a Roger Vivier handbag priced at 2.6‑2.67 million won (about US$1,760). The clutch was delivered by Lee shortly after Kim became PPP chairperson in March 2023 and was later recovered at Kim Keon Hee’s residence together with a handwritten thank‑you note [1][2][3].

Kim acknowledges gift but denies bribery Kim confirmed that his wife gave the clutch but insisted the act was a “social courtesy,” not a bribe, and rejected any implication of wrongdoing [1][2][3]. Lee reportedly told investigators that Kim was unaware of the gift’s delivery, reinforcing his claim of innocence [1].

Probe connects gift to Unification Church recruitment scheme Special counsel questioning on Dec 22 revealed prosecutors allege Kim colluded with a shaman to enlist about 2,400 Unification Church members into the PPP to support his leadership bid, linking the clutch to that broader influence‑peddling effort [3]. The investigation suggests the gift may have been part of a strategy to secure political backing from the religious group [3].

Case forwarded to police for further bribery assessment Because the special counsel team could not conclusively determine bribery involving former President Yoon and his wife, it referred the matter to police for additional investigation into possible illicit benefits to the former first couple [1].